The Best Dance Moves on the Silver Screen

Posted December 8, 2009

Along with the endless loop of "Jingle Bells" playing at the mall, the holidays bring something we can all appreciate: lots and lots of movies. This Christmas Day, director Rob Marshall will try to replicate his foot-stomping Chicago success with the release of his big screen adaptation of the Broadway musical Nine. If Chicago's killer dance routines is any indication, Nine will feature some serious leg-kicking dazzle—which is AWESOME!

Yeah, you heard us! We're suckers for a good dance routine! Dance can heighten emotion, add comic relief, or simply provide some old-fashioned entertainment. Don't believe us? Check out this hand-picked collection of our favorite routines. We dare you to try and make it through all of them without jumping out of your seat and busting a move:

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion: If you've never seen this 1997 comedy gem, you are missing out. In it, two ditzy BFFs go to their high school reunion (duh). You'll have to wade through a plot line involving Post-its, but your time will be well spent when you arrive at the ridiculous final dance scene.

The Blues Brothers: Ray Charles, dancing in the streets, John Belushi, AND dance moves that you can do at home? Nothing could be better. As an added bonus, check out the James Brown number (we recommend that you don't try these dance moves).

Royal Wedding: For more than three decades, Fred Astaire was the Prince Charming of dance. He starred in dozens of movie musicals and was always on the top of his game, finding new and innovative ways to show off his moves. Just check out this clip of the "dancing on the ceiling" scene from the 1951 movie Royal Wedding (the really good stuff starts at minute 2:35).

Napoleon Dynamite: Ahhh, Napoleon, he's such a good friend. When his best bud Pedro forgets to prepare a skit for his class president bid, Napoleon steps up to the plate and performs these dazzling disco-inspired moves. Rock it out!

Girls Just Want to Have Fun: Before she was the super-chic star of "Sex and the City," Sarah Jessica Parker was just a girl with a dream. In this classic '80s flick she battles all odds—an uber-strict dad, some questionable fashion choices, and a spoiled-brat nemesis—to triumph on a popular TV dance show. To be honest, the dance scenes aren't nearly as much fun as the clothes and hair, so we're just going to give you this montage.

Waiting for Guffman: What would a best-of dance list be without a prop number? In this movie, Christopher Guest, that master of mockumentaries, heads up an ambitious and wayyyy-too-serious local theater company. Not exactly Tony-worthy stuff, but we're pretty sure this is the only dance routine in existence based around a stool.

White Christmas: This 1954 holiday classic is a must-see, regardless of your denomination or creed. It's a mash-up of the boy-meets-girl and let's-put-on-a-show genres, glued together by Irving Berlin's timeless tunes. "Mandy" is a show-stopping number featuring Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, Vera-Ellen and a giant chorus of dancers. It's dance on film at its best. Enjoy!

Singin' in the Rain: What list would be complete without this one? Personally, we're torn between Make 'Em Laugh and the title tune. But, really, why bother picking a favorite?

Are you a dance fanatic? Share your favorite on-screen dance routine in the comments.